Sejong Soloists Competitors

The Boston Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert in 1881, realizing the dream of its founder, the Civil War veteran/businessman/philanthropist Henry Lee Higginson, who envisioned a great and permanent orchestra in his hometown of Boston. Today the BSO and Boston Pops reach millions of listeners through not only their concert performances in Boston and at Tanglewood, but also via digital programs on BSO NOW, radio, television, educational programs, recordings, and tours.

For over 100 years, the LA Phil has embodied the spirit of Los Angeles. Guided by our commitment to innovation, excellence, and access, the LA Phil operates four major venues: Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, The Ford, and the Beckmen YOLA Center in Inglewood. At our core is our orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, whose brilliant performances and dedication to the future of music led The New Yorker’s Alex Ross to declare it “so far ahead of other American orchestras that it is in competition mainly with its own past achievements.” We bring the same principles to YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), our music learning program which has provided instruments, education, and opportunities to thousands of students and families in LA. On stage, off stage, and in the community, the LA Phil’s work reflects the incredible array of music and cultures that have shaped Los Angeles, and the power of music to inspire and connect people.

Founded in 1911, the San Francisco Symphony is one of the most adventurous and innovative arts institutions in the United States. Celebrated for its artistic excellence, creative performance concepts, award-winning recordings, and standard-setting education programs, the Symphony continues to shape the future of orchestral music, making a lasting impact on the cultural fabric of San Francisco and the world.